In order to receive accommodations, written documentation of a physical, medical, and/or psychological condition (for example, visual, hearing and/or speech impairment, mobility, back injury, learning disability) which would cause a severe disadvantage for the student in absence of individualized services must be provided. The documentation must include the following information.
- A diagnosis of the current disability
- Date of the diagnosis
- How the diagnosis was reached
- How the disability affects a major life activity
- How the disability affects the student's academic performance
- The credentials of the professional
- Note: for learning disabilities, documentation must include test scores and data from standardized testing in the areas of aptitude, achievement, and information processing.
Written documentation must be completed by a medical specialist or licensed professional such as a doctor, psychologist, school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation diagnostician, optometrist or audiologists. These professionals should have two or more years of direct assessment experience with adults or late adolescents who manifest specific learning disabilities and be trained in administration and interpretation of that particular assessment tool.
An Individual Education Plan (IEP), Summary of Performance or Section 540 Plan from high school alone does not necessarily meet documentation standards. This is because postsecondary education presents different demands than high school education and what you need to meet those demands may be different. In some cases, the nature of the disability may have changed.
Students are responsible for finding and paying for assessment and diagnostic services. The cost can range from $450.00-$1500.00. Students may be able to use one or more of the following methods of finance to pay for their assessment.
- Savings or income.
- Financial aid.
- Vocational Rehabilitation. If you are working with a vocational rehabilitation counselor through the Dept. of Human Services, talk to your counselor about your concerns and options.
- Health insurance. Some health insurance policies will cover learning disability testing and/or psychological evaluations. Please talk to your insurance provider and/or a psychologist for assistance.
- Other.
A student may appeal a decision regarding approval of and provisions for accommodations by submitting a Student Appeal Form to the Dean of Student Services. The form can be picked up from the Student Services Department in building 3 or via the KCC web site. Please return the completed form to the Student Services Department.
A student can request an amendment to their accommodation (s) after a decision has been made by meeting with the Disability Coordinator and completing another Service Request form.
- Please check the box stating "you are making a change to a previously submitted schedule".
- A determination will be made as to whether the disability meets ADA guidelines and the accommodations are appropriate for the disability(s) listed. A letter will be sent outlining the decision.
- The student is responsible for picking up the instructor accommodation notice as early in the term as possible, taking it to their instructors for signature and then returning it to the Disability Coordinator.
- Once the instructor form is returned, the Disability Coordinator will sign the form, copy and distribute the signed instructor accommodation notice to each instructor. Instructors will not provide accommodations without written documentation through the Disability Coordinator.
- The student is responsible for scheduling a follow up appointment to pick up their copy of the instructor notice and to update the Disability Coordinator regarding their term progress and accommodation status.
- The student is responsible for notifying the Disability Coordinator that they have registered for classes, several weeks before the term starts, in order for the accommodations to be processed in a timely manner.
- The student is responsible for picking up the instructor accommodation notice as early in the term as possible, taking it to their instructors for signature and then returning it to the Disability Coordinator.
- Once the instructor form is returned, the Disability Coordinator will sign the form, copy and distribute the signed instructor accommodation notice to each instructor. Instructors will not provide accommodations without written documentation through the Disability Coordinator.
- The student is responsible for scheduling a follow up appointment to pick up their copy of the instructor notice and to update the Disability Coordinator regarding their term progress and accommodation status.
Temporary provisional accommodations may be authorized for one term only if it appears appropriate to allow time to gather the required documentation. Some of the reasons for this may be based on instructor concerns, academic performance, outdated documentation.
The student is responsible for purchasing their own class materials and textbooks. If textbooks are needed in an alternative format which a student cannot access themselves, they can contact the Disability Coordinator. Not all textbooks are available in an alternative format. Therefore, KCC may need several extra weeks to convert the textbook into an audiotape or a suitable electronic format. It is the student's responsibility to check back regarding the status of the request.